Flyers seek net gain

LOS ANGELES - The Philadelphia Flyers are on a mission over the next couple of days: Find someone who can stop the puck.

With Round 1 of the NHL draft Friday night, Flyers GM Paul Holmgren is looking for a goalie.

Michael Leighton turned in a heroic performance to get the Flyers to the Stanley Cup final against the Chicago Blackhawks, but several league sources say Holmgren wants an upgrade.

While there are plenty of netminders available on the free-agent market - Marty Turco, Chris Mason, Evgeni Nabokov and Jose Theodore among them - the Flyers will need to shed salary if they're going to add a big-ticket goalie.

Centre Jeff Carter's name has surfaced as possible trade bait. Philly doesn't really want to trade him, but may have no choice. The Kings could be a good fit because they need a centre and could move goalie Jonathan Bernier. Boston's Tim Thomas is also on Philly's radar.

This 'N' That

Frustrated with trying to re-sign James Wisniewski, Anaheim GM Bob Murray has been sniffing around to see if he can deal the RFA D. The two sides are far apart in talks, but the Ducks need defence and can't afford to send Wisniewski packing without getting another defenceman in return ... The Habs will likely make a pitch to Isles G Martin Biron, a UFA on July 1, to be the backup to G Carey Price next season ... The Panthers have talked to the Blackhawks about LW Kris Versteeg. While Florida isn't the only suitor, GM Dale Tallon may have the inside track with Chicago. The Blackhawks want a No. 1 pick and a prospect in return. The Canucks may have already offered the No. 25 pick and a player.

Around the boards

The Kings likely weren't happy to hear the Sharks re-signed C Patrick Marleau to a four-year, $27.6-million deal Thursday. It's believed the Kings had targeted the 30-year-old Marleau as a UFA and felt they might be able to entice him to move to the Los Angeles area after spending all of his career in San Jose. What do the Kings do now? The only big-name free agent left is New Jersey LW Ilya Kovalchuk ... Dallas GM Joe Nieuwendyk has been aggressive in his pursuit of a blueliner. It's believed he's talked to Florida (Keith Ballard) and Toronto (Tomas Kaberle). The Stars would like to move C Mike Ribiero ... The Predators are trying to deal the rights to UFA D Denis Grebeshkov before July 1. He made $3.15 million US last season and there's no chance he'll be staying in Nashville.

Off the glass

The Penguins are still talking to UFA D Sergei Gonchar ... The Devils are working hard to keep UFA D Paul Martin. He could re-sign before July 1 ... The Senators haven't made any progress on UFA D Andy Sutton or C Matt Cullen. Expect to see Cullen stay in Ottawa ... Prospect Erik Gudbranson was supposed to walk the red carpet in Los Angeles Thursday for the opening of the movie The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. That appearance was cancelled because the Kingston Frontenacs D had a meeting scheduled with Florida, which selects third in the draft.